The Steakhouse — Restaurant in Galveston

My wife and I make a point to create time for a date night anytime we are on vacation (and have someone who can watch our kiddos). I spent quite a bit of time looking for just the right restaurant. We agreed on The Steakhouse at San Luis.

The atmosphere is quite intimate, dim lighting and tasteful decor. It is right across from a bar area, so we were entertained by a pianist singing Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and the like. Fine by me, I enjoy live entertainment, but maybe not the best fit for a restaurant of this caliber.

The service was excellent - Joe, our server (a native of Galveston) was very pleasant, engaging, and very attentive. We also spoke to Jimmie - another server - about our day at the beach. Likewise a very nice gentleman. We were also checked on a few times by another gentleman, perhaps the maître d?

All in all, a wonderful atmosphere for a date night.

We started with a bowl of the lobster bisque and citrus and kale salad to share. They split the bisque for us, which was wonderful. And the salad was refreshing.

My wife ordered the 8oz filet which was superb. I had the Ahi Tuna, which I really didn't care for. Honestly, I've never ordered that dish anywhere, so I can only presume that it wasn't the dish but rather I don't like Ahi Tuna! The sides that came with my fish were excellently prepared. Joe offered to get me something different, but I figured that my wife would be done by then so I declined.

We also ordered the Brussels sprouts and creamed corn (something) as sides. They were larger than I expected, and together we ate about half. My wife is not a big fan of garlic, and the Brussels sprouts did have quite a bit. "Otherwise, I would have eaten the entire dish" she said.

When we picked this restaurant, we viewed the online menu which didn't have any prices. I should know better. The food was good, but I thought quite pricey. Steaks ran around $40 and up, fish $35 and up. They also had some specials that were tempting but in excess of $60. Afterward, we both agreed that we should have gone elsewhere based on the pricing.

To sum up - a nice dining experience. Music from the bar really didn't help set the intimate tone that the dining area created. Food was pricey, but good. Sides are too large for two people to share. Service...

Dining at The Steakhouse was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we were seated, the staff went above and beyond to make sure our evening was special. They are attentive, flexible, and happy to accommodate unique requests, including dietary needs. I require all my dishes to be prepared gluten free, and they made every effort to ensure that each course was safe for me to enjoy without sacrificing flavor or presentation.

One example that stood out to me was when I asked if they could prepare a lump crabmeat cocktail. Although it wasn’t listed on the menu, the server was more than happy to arrange it. What arrived was beautifully presented in a light dressing, completely gluten free, and absolutely delicious.

For my entrée, I ordered the seafood special of the evening, sea bass topped with crabmeat and shrimp. The fish was perfectly prepared, melting in my mouth, and the accompaniments were flavorful and well balanced. The kitchen made sure everything was gluten free, including the mushrooms I ordered on the side, which were fabulous.

Meanwhile, my husband and boys shared the Tomahawk steak, a 40-ounce showstopper. Splitting it between three was perfect, and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Another standout was the appetizer my husband chose, seared scallops with risotto which he described as outstanding.

One thing to note: entrées take time to arrive, but this is by design. The pace is leisurely, giving you time to relax and enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and conversation without feeling rushed. Portions are generous, especially the sides, which are ideal for sharing. For instance, my boys shared the mashed potatoes, and the serving was more than enough.

In every way, The Steakhouse delivered a first class dining experience. The food was exceptional, the service thoughtful, and the gluten-free accommodations outstanding. If you’re in Galveston and looking for a memorable meal, this restaurant is an...

Forewarning, this is the most expensive restaurant I've ever been. Be prepared to pay $100 per adult to eat here.

Now for my honest feedback...the price goes towards the service and atmosphere, not taste/quality of food. The service is top notch and the atmosphere is very inviting. Unfortunately, when it comes to the actual taste/quality of food, The Steakhouse wouldn't even make my Top 10 list of steakhouses nor my Top 25 list of restaurants. At their price point, they should have the capital to compete with some of the best restaurants around, but they just don't.

The kids ordered mac and cheese, and lobster mac and cheese, which were the only dishes that I could say that were amazing. They were homemade, not Kraft, and clearly made with a proper rue.

We ordered the tuna dish and the ribeye. The Tuna was cooked perfectly at rare, but the flavor lacked. It needed a crust or more seasoning to take it up a notch or two. It was served with potato wedges and side salad, but the wedges were really dry and the salad was lifeless.

The ribeye didn't taste like a prime cut to me which should be a given at its price point. If it was prime cut, I'd call their supplier into question. It was fairly gritty and the sauce didn't compliment the meat in my opinion.

The desserts were decent, but not worth $10 a pop. We ordered the lava cake and ice-cream, the New York cheesecake, and the banana cream pie. My son didn't even eat half the lava cake, due to its dryness and lack of flavor, but the cheesecake was pretty good (not top 10 worthy though), and the banana cream pie filling was really good, but the pie crust was dry and flavorless.

I would consider coming back to give The Steakhouse a second try in the future, however they would have to cut their prices in half for me to consider...